Here is the bigger point. IMO EBT cards should not be used for the most expensive groceries on the market like Schwans foods. It should be narrowed down to certain foods like the WIC program. There should also be a law stating someone with an EBT card has to show ID and prove they are the owner of the card. This seems common sense to me.
When we police welfare it keeps profit focused Right wing media from using a single YouTube video of someone openly carrying out fraud to blind Americans of the huge corporate hand in their pocket.
I actually don't have an issue with someone on SNAP having a 'blow out' of sorts, as long as planning is involved. I guess I've not given into endorsing payment in kind, yet.
I'm educated, disgustingly so. For the past three years have had a miniscule budget. For 2 months, 2 years ago got SNAP. Haven't been hungry other than by choice and have always had good nutritional food in the house. As I said, I've the degrees, from Top tier universities to boot. However I'm 58, severely hearing impaired since birth, both take a toll on re-employment after being RIF'd at 55. That is what it is.
It doesn't take a HS diploma to recognize that produce and proteins are better for your body than candy, cookies, cakes, chips and pop. So, let's make the assumption that most get that.
Now let's say that one wants there limited food budget to stretch as far as possible. Look for sales on expensive part, proteins. Better yet, look for 'Clearance/Managers Specials.' 30-50% off. a 3# piece of meat can be cooked with a pound-1 1/2 pounds of veggies and a pound of starch for 12-15 generous servings of lunch/dinner. Freeze into individual containers for self or family.
Breakfast? Oatmeal, eggs, toast with peanut butter. I watch both cholesterol and sodium. I'm big on oatmeal, though I hated it for most of my life. I use steel cut oats from Aldi. I add 2 T brown sugar, handful of dried blueberries, cranberries, raisins, and nuts to single serve. I use nonfat milk instead of water. It's a fruit compote with crunch and fiber. Very filling and helps my blood pressure.
I live in a very competitive area for groceries. Nearly always can find lunch meat on sale for $5 lb or less. While mostly I can make sandwiches from what I've cooked, there are times the deli comes in handy. Mostly I do wraps, usually on sale and I freeze extras. I use hummus or guacamole in place of mayo or butter. Include low fat cheese, tomato and spinach as condiments.
I eat at least 2 non-fat yogurts per day, as I do not like milk. Snacks are nekkid veggies, cheese, crackers.
Over ripe or molding veggies/produce I use for facials/scrubs/or hair treatments. I try not to throw away anything I can use.
Dang, I actually got lost in my minutia, my point was that while one may be day-to-day following a very strict budget to make ends meet, there may come a day that is totally about celebrating and you are the host. It may cause havoc for the rest of the month, but if planned for, the lunches and dinners are already in the freezer, not counting the left overs from the 'blow out.'
Perhaps a cart has a beef tenderloin, crab legs, sea scallops, asparagus, broccolini and other pricey purchases. One has no way of knowing that this one shopping trip was 3 months in the making. It was a year or 6 month blow out, it is really not your business.
I have more problems with someone not shopping sales and buying nutritionally void stuff. A bag of chips doesn't phase me, 5 bags do, especially with unhealthy dips, cookies, candies, sugar drinks.